Aksys Games is pleased to announce that Hakuoki: Stories of the Shinsengumi, the first otome visual novel for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system is shipping to retail stores today and is now available on PlayStation®Network to download! European fans can enjoy Hakuoki: Stories of the Shinsengumi via PlayStation®Network Europe tomorrow, 5/7!

Hakuoki: Stories of the Shinsengumi is an epic love story about Chizuru, a girl looking for her missing father as she gets swept into a burgeoning war between Imperial and shogun forces. Oh, did we mention there are bloodthirsty demons as well? Will Chizuru and her newfound friends, the Shinsengumi, find her father - but more importantly, will she find love in the midst of all this madness?

Hakuoki: Stories of the Shinsengumi for the PlayStation®3 system

As one of the first visual novels on the PlayStation®3 system, Hakuoki not only brings beautifully drawn art to the big screen, but an epic story of love, honor and betrayal. Characters’ faces are brightly animated, making Hakuoki: Stories of the Shinsengumi feel more like an anime than a game!

Not only will players be able to see the world through Chizuru’s eyes, Hakuoki: Stories of the Shinsengumi’s plethora of unlockable content allows players to read side-stories, learn about each of the main characters, and more!

Ever wonder what it would be like to go to school with the cast of Hakuoki? Well, wonder no more, my friends, because Hakuoki: Stories of the Shinsengumi allows players to unlock a special “manga” style comic that re-imagines the cast in modern day Japan. Sweet School Life indeed!

Hakuoki: Stories of the Shinsengumi Limited Edition Ships May 20

Hakuoki: Stories of the Shinsengumi Limited Edition is truly unique and is inspired by the rich cultural history of Japan as well as the Hakuoki series. Fans will receive a premium box that is made to look like Japanese lacquer with a Hakuoki-esque motif. Included in the Limited Edition is a Japanese-style hair comb, a replica Japanese love charm, and a hair pin, inspired by in-game events.

Hakuoki: Stories of the Shinsengumi is rated Mature (M) by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board. For more information, visit www.esrb.org

About the Hakuoki Series

Released in February 2012, Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom drew praise from critics and fans alike as an original and beautifully-written visual novel. EGMnow.com hailed its story as something “you’ll want to experience until its end, filled with interesting characters, lovely artwork, and a great English translation.” Aksys Games has expanded on this series here in the US with the action-adventure spin-off, Hakuoki: Warriors of the Shinsengumi, and the visual novels, Hakuoki: Memories of the Shinsengumi, and Hakuoki: Stories of the Shinsengumi. Hakuoki ‘s success has spawned an anime that is currently being published in the U.S. by Sentai Filmworks.

About Idea Factory

Located in Tokyo and founded in 1994, Idea Factory has developed and published many well-received RPGS and innovative visual novel games. Some of their more popular titles include the Record of Agarest War series, the Hakuoki series, and Sorcery Saga. Idea Factory is part of the Idea Factory Group, which comprises Idea Factory, Compile Heart, Design Factory and Idea Factory International.

To learn more about them, see the information on the Idea Factory web site:
http://www.ideafintl.com/index.php (English)
http://www.ideaf.co.jp (Japanese)

About Aksys Games

Founded in 2006 in Torrance, California, Aksys Games Localization, Inc. is a localization studio and visionary video game publisher specializing in the Japanese-to-English translation of games and committed to publishing unique, multicultural, high-quality interactive content for all current-generation platforms with its talented staff. Its lineup of games includes the Record of Agarest War series, Zero Escape: 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors (Winning “Best Story/Writing” Awards from IGN and Nintendo Power), Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward, and the acclaimed BlazBlue fighting game series. More information about Aksys Games and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.aksysgames.com.